This week in gluttony

These are the 8 best food and drink events in Fort Worth this week

Happy Lemon will celebrate its newest location with a two-day buy-one-get-one event.

Photo courtesy of Happy Lemon

May kicks off with celebrations galore, including Cinco de Mayo, the Kentucky Derby, and the cult favorite Star Wars Day. There are food and drink events for each this week, including a rare 12-course meat tasting, charcuterie board workshop with wine, and the grand opening of a worldwide favorite smoothie and tea bar. Still looking for Mother’s Day dining reservations? Find that list here.

Tuesday, May 3

Meet Our Meat at B&B Butchers & Restaurant
This rare tasting event takes 16 lucky guests on a 12-course tour of cellar-cut beef. From 55-day dry-aged ribeye steak to A5 Kobe beef, the mouthwatering meat selections come with wine pairings, side dishes, and chef’s selection of desserts. Reservations are $375 per person, plus tax and gratuity, and the dinner begins promptly at 6:30 pm in the B&B Butcher Shop.

First Tuesday: The Art of Infused Cocktails at Stage West
As part of its monthly First Tuesdays programming, Stage West Theatre's Dana Schultes will introduce attendees of the class to a dozen or so craft flavors and teach how to make cocktails for personal enjoyment, an upcoming party, or a camping trip. The 21+ event kicks off at 6 pm with complimentary drinks and snacks from the Lobby Cafe. Tickets are $20, and Stage West’s season ticket holders get half off admission.

Wednesday, May 4

Star Wars Day at Cane Rosso
“May the fourth be with you” this May 4 at Cane Rosso, where Star Wars fans (and all diners in general) can get the restaurant’s popular Roni One pizza for only $10. The wood-fired pie comes with house-made mozzarella, pepperoni, bacon marmalade, and tomato sauce. The promo price is available for dine-in or takeout all day.

Charcuterie Board Workshop at Lost Oak Winery
Sip wine and create your own charcuterie boarding this 90-minute class at the longtime Burleson winery. The $75 per-person price includes a board to keep. (Wine sold separately.) The class will run from 6-7:30 pm.

Thursday, May 5

Tequila Tasting at John Wayne: An American Experience
The Fort Worth Stockyards is home to a museum dedicated to iconic actor John Wayne, and on Cinco de Mayo, guests can sip tequila inspired by the Duke himself. Duke Spirits, a line of bourbon, whiskey, and most recently, tequila, will host a free tasting at the museum’s Stock & Supply store. Featured tequilas will include the Grand Cru Reposado Tequila Founder’s Reserve and the Extra Anejo Tequila Founder’s Reserve. The complimentary tasting will take place from 1-4 pm. Tickets to the exhibit are $21.95 for adults and $17.95 for kids 6-12.

Saturday, May 7

Farmers Market at Tanger Oulets
The city's newest weekly farmers market is at the Tanger Outlets shopping center in far north Fort Worth. Sponsored by Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Alliance, the market will be open 9 am-1 pm Saturdays until November 5 (then 10 am-2 pm through December 31), offering an assortment of fruits, veggies, sweet and savory treats, and hand-crafted goods from local farmers and artisans around. Find it in the parking lot behind Olive Garden, 15853 N. Freeway.

Happy Lemon Grand Opening
The popular Taiwanese smoothie and bubble tea bar will celebrate its newest location at 1019 Foch St. with a two-day buy-one-get-one event. Visit anytime from 12-10 pm on Saturday or Sunday and get a free drink with the purchase of one (max of four purchased drinks per person). The chain is known for its Asian “cheese teas” — sweet and savory cold teas topped with salted milk and cream cheese foam. Top sellers include the Jasmine Green Tea with Salted Cheese, the Strawberry Shortcake Smoothie, and the Ube Milk Tea with Taro Balls. The first 100 customers also get a free Happy Lemon tote bag.

Down & Derby Day at Whiskey Ranch
The home of TX Whiskey will throw a Kentucky Derby party featuring lots of TX Mint Juleps. Sport your best Derby attire for a chance to win a prize. Tickets are $25 and include a drink ticket and a Derby-themed food box by Applause Catering. The party will run from 1-7 pm but note that live music will take place from 2-4 pm and the Kentucky Derby itself is set for 5:57 pm.

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Taco News

Fuzzy's Taco Shop is one of 7 Texas chains ready to take on America

Photo courtesy of Fuzzy’s Taco Shop

Tacos from Fuzzy's Taco Shop

America is set to be on the receiving end of an explosion of Mexican chain restaurants — and Texas, God bless, is doing its part.

An eye-opening story on Mashed called "Mexican Chain Restaurants You're About To See Everywhere" finds 12 chains all on the verge of expansion.

Some are fast-food, some fast-casual; some serve Mexican, some Tex-Mex — but all are poised to make their nationwide entrance.

Out of the 12 concepts on the list, an impressive seven are based in Texas. And out of the seven from Texas, five are taco concepts. Our tacos are spreading across America.

One surprising fact the story reveals is how many Texas-based chains have been recently acquired by big hospitality groups, including Chuy's, Fuzzy's, and Taco Cabana, which will help further their expansion.

Here are seven Texas chains getting ready to blow up:

Chuy's
Tex-Mex chain founded in Austin in 1982 is known for its authentic, Tex-Mex food served in a fun, eclectic, irreverent atmosphere, with each location boasting its own unique, non-chain feel. They currently have 101 locations in 15 states including 10 locations in Dallas-Fort Worth. Expect more now that Darden Restaurants, Inc. (Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakouse) acquired the chain in July 2024.

Fajita Pete's
Houston chain was founded in 2008 specializing in fajitas with choice of chicken, pork, beef, and shrimp. Tortillas are handmade, and the sides are from scratch. Thanks to a robust franchising program, they currently have 30 locations across Texas, Kansas, Pennsylvania, and Colorado, including one that just opened in Austin on September 1.

Fuzzy's Taco Shop
Fuzzy's was first founded in Fort Worth in 2001, specializing in Baja-style Mexican cuisine, open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with burritos, tacos, and breakfast items, plus a full bar. They currently have more than 150 locations in 17 states with more on the way, since they were acquired in 2022 by Dine Brands (Applebee's Neighborhood Grill, IHOP).

Taco Cabana
Fast-casual favorite founded in San Antonio in the 1970s is noted for its good-and-cheap food including tacos, burritos, creative menu of frozen margaritas, and accommodating late-night hours. In 2021, they were acquired by Yadav Enterprises (Jack in the Box, Denny's, TGI Fridays), and Mashed says that owner Anil Yadav plans to streamline the restaurants with upgraded drive-thrus and an easier ordering process for take-out.

Taco Palenque
Fast-casual Mexican restaurant founded in Laredo in 1987 serves authentic Mexican food, including soft and crispy tacos, enchiladas, burritos, and chicken mole. While they are currently only found in Texas, the company was founded by Juan Francisco Ochoa Sr., who also founded El Pollo Loco in 1975 and he plans to expand the concept across the U.S.

Torchy's
Revered Austin taco chain started out as a taco truck in 2006 and now has 125 locations across 14 states with plans to keep expanding. Their tacos and queso are massively popular and they're never afraid to roll out new things: In fact, they just made a big menu change that included removing some menu staples entirely, replacing them with new items such as the Damn Good Tots, topped with queso and bacon.

Velvet Taco
What started out as one foodie-centric taco shop in Dallas in 2011 has grown to nearly 50 restaurants in seven states. They're known for their unique cuisine mashups such as the Chicken & Waffle taco or the Tikka Chicken taco with basmati rice. Future expansion plans include opening locations in airports.

Outside Texas
The five non-Texas chains also in expansion mode across the U.S. include:

Bubbakoo's Burritos, a Mexican joint on the Jersey Shore
BurritoBar, a Canadian chain with plans to expand into the U.S. market
Condado Tacos, founded in Columbus near The Ohio State University campus
District Taco, a small chain in the mid-Atlantic region
Surchero's, founded in Douglas, Georgia in 2007

It remains to be seen whether any will dare to enter Texas.

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